I WAS IN PERRY THIS

weekend with my family at the Jeff Young Fun Run.We had perfect weather and a gorgeous view.
Believe it or not, I did not finish the 5K last.
We wore a t-shirt Jeff designed, there was a silent auction, bake sale, Mexican food, snow cones, face painting, raffles and a candy cannon.

Photo on bottom left taken by Ivon

We had so much fun celebrating Jeff and being with family.
One of the best parts of the day was imagining that Jeff was laughing at us because he had so many women in an elk t-shirt.

OUR FAMILY HAS BEEN MOURNING

the loss of Jeff. A husband, father, son, uncle, cousin, grandson and nephew to a family who loved him dearly and misses him.
There have been many tears, hugs, sleepless nights and through reminiscing we have found glimpses of smiles and even laughter. There are never ending stories of this great man who loved his family, life, joking and teasing.
Over 1000 people came to pay their respects at his viewing Sunday evening and it was an amazing sight to see how many lives he had touched in only 44 years.
Monday there was a beautiful, touching memorial service and he was buried by the snowy mountains he loved.

Jeffrey Cole Young

1966-2011

We love and miss you Jeff.

Until we meet again.

I KNOW I'M GETTING OLDER BUT

in my mind, I'm still young and still invincible. Tragedies happen to others. Not our family. The deaths I have experienced have been with grandparents, and albeit sad, they were old and can be justified.
When I was 17 I lived with my aunt, uncle and cousins. They are my second family. They are not my aunt and uncle, they are my other mom and dad. My cousins are my brothers and sister.
Tuesday I got the worst phone call of my life. One I thought I wouldn't hear until we were "old". My cousin is only 44 and had a heart attack at work. He is leaving behind a gorgeous wife and four beautiful/handsome children. He loved his family so much, was a hard worker, loved to hunt, loved life, had the funniest goofy laugh that you just couldn't help yourself to laugh with him and was the king of teasers. 44 is too young to be called back home.
I know we believe families are forever and I know we will all see him again but the pain in my heart is so painful, I'm wondering 'why?' and my heart is breaking for his wife and children, his mother and father, brother and sister. They were all best friends.
I'll be with them soon, to hug them and cry with them. I wish I could take away the ache and pain of torn hearts.
Hug your family tight. Tell them you love them. We forget we are not invincible.

COMMITMENT TIME

Larry and I went to a memorial service this morning for a dear, dear man who was a friend and example to all, a wonderful mentor to the youth and he will be greatly missed....

photo taken the summer of 2007 in Palmyra, New York

'Commitment Time'

I commit to having positive thoughts because thoughts decide my feelings.

I commit to having positive feelings because feelings decide my actions.

I commit to having positive actions because actions become habits.

I commit to having positive habits because habits become my values.

I commit to having positive values because values become my destiny.

-Ghandi

Thanks for the final thought Dale.
I hope to be half the person you were....